Dartmouth, Mass. – The Dartmouth House of Correction is under scrutiny after Sheriff Paul Heroux announced that a contracted medical technician allegedly passed synthetic marijuana to an inmate in early October. The sheriff described the exchange as a discreet handoff that involved a box of Band‑Aid‑type supplies that actually contained thousands of dollars’ worth of the drug.
Alleged participants
The investigation identified Malissa Goff, 39, a medical technician from Fall River who works for the facility’s health‑care contractor, and Darren Andrade, 38, an inmate from New Bedford. Both have been charged with conspiracy, and Goff faces additional counts.
Sheriff’s response
Heroux emphasized that contraband poses serious security challenges in correctional settings. “Having drugs inside a jail causes a lot of security problems,” he said. While synthetic marijuana is legal in Massachusetts, it remains prohibited in jails and prisons.
According to the sheriff, the exchange was not a one‑off incident. “Drugs in jails and prisons in Massachusetts and across the country is common,” he noted, adding that inmates often try to exploit perceived vulnerabilities among staff.
How the scheme was uncovered
Sheriff’s staff began monitoring Goff’s interactions with Andrade, reviewing phone calls and written correspondence. “We watched the interactions with this employee and the inmate, and we started listening to the phone calls as well, looking at correspondence, and there was enough there to figure out that things were going sideways,” Heroux explained.
Heroux said the surveillance revealed a pattern of grooming: “An inmate learns about what vulnerabilities an employee has and they start to groom the employee.” The sheriff’s office observed the discreet handoff and estimated the synthetic marijuana’s value at roughly $30,000.
Consequences and next steps
Goff will not be allowed to return to the correctional facility, and the sheriff indicated that the incident will not affect the relationship with the contractor that employs her. “It happens,” he said when asked if this was an isolated case, “yeah, I mean, it could have easily happened to one of our employees.”
Both Goff and Andrade have been arraigned; Goff was released after her arraignment. The sheriff’s office continues to review security protocols to prevent future contraband introductions.
Community impact
Local officials stress the importance of safeguarding correctional facilities, especially as drug‑related incidents remain a persistent issue statewide. The case underscores the need for vigilant oversight of contracted staff who have access to inmates.
Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity within correctional institutions to the sheriff’s office.
Original reporting: NBC 10 WJAR (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
